Awareness Month Tribute
This month only, make a gift in honor of someone who has shown up for you — and they'll receive a personal thank you message from ANRF Board member and RA survivor Staci Stringer Betschart.
It's a meaningful way to celebrate the people in your village while fueling the research that's changing lives.
Make Your GiftDon't wait — this opportunity is available this month only.
Leadership
A gathering of the finest proven researchers in the world
In 1998, ANRF formed a Scientific Advisory Board made up of world-renowned physician- and PhD-scientists. Members serve as volunteers, and most have served since the board’s founding.
Each year, these leaders in rheumatology and immunology review every grant application ANRF receives, a process that takes hours of careful study and discussion. Beyond selecting grant recipients, the Scientific Advisory Board advises our Board of Directors on research trends and clinical developments, helping guide ANRF’s future funding priorities.
Board Leadership
Chair, Scientific Advisory Board
University of California, Irvine School of Biological Sciences
Professor, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Director, Multiple Sclerosis Research Center
Dr. Walsh is an expert in immunology, and his research focuses on the role apoptotic signal transduction plays in the development, activation, and homeostasis of the immune system. He holds multiple roles at the University of California, Irvine.
Vice Chair, Scientific Advisory Board
College of Medicine–Phoenix, University of Arizona
Vice Chair of Research, Professor of Internal Medicine
Dr. Adamopoulos’s research focuses on the interplay between the skeletal and immune systems, particularly the molecular mechanisms controlling osteoclast differentiation and activation in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. He earned his DPhil at the University of Oxford and completed post-doctoral training at Washington University in St. Louis and the DNAX Research Institute.
Scientific Advisory Board Members
Cincinnati Children’s
Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics
Assistant Professor, UC Department of Ophthalmology
Dr. Han’s research focuses on investigating non-invasive biomarkers and genetic risk factors of ocular inflammation, and establishing a comprehensive assessment of pediatric uveitis outcomes. She developed and validated the only measure of vision-related quality of life and function for pediatric uveitis, the “Effects of Youngsters’ Eyesight on Quality of Life” (EYE-Q) questionnaire.
National Institutes of Health
Senior Investigator
Chief, Pediatric Translational Research Branch
Clinical Director, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Dr. Colbert is a pediatric rheumatologist whose research focuses on mechanisms of inflammation and aberrant bone formation in spondyloarthritic diseases. His studies have elucidated abnormal properties of the predominant disease risk allele, HLA-B*27, and identified the IL-23/IL-17 axis as a major contributor to pathogenesis, leading to the development of IL-17 blockade as an effective treatment.
Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
Physician-in-Chief and Chair, Department of Medicine
Benjamin M. Rosen Chair in Immunology and Inflammation Research
Chief, Division of Rheumatology, Weill Cornell Medical College
One of the first researchers to study the functional properties of human dendritic cells and how their altered state plays a key role in autoimmune diseases like lupus, Dr. Crow continues to investigate the underlying triggers and mediators of autoimmunity in lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY
Professor & Head, Center for Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Diseases
Professor of Molecular Medicine and Medicine, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine
Dr. Diamond has headed the rheumatology divisions at Albert Einstein School of Medicine and at Columbia University Medical Center, and directed the Medical Scientist Training Program at Albert Einstein for many years. She is currently head of the Center for Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Diseases at The Feinstein Institute and director of the PhD and MD/PhD programs at the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine.
Salimetrics, LLC
Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Granger earned his PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at the University of California, Irvine, followed by post-doctoral training at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, where his research focused on the immunobiology of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily.
University of California, San Diego
Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine
Dr. Hoffman’s main research interests are genetics and inflammation. His work has focused on familial cold auto-inflammatory syndrome, an inherited condition characterized by recurrent episodes of rash, fever, and joint pain following exposure to cold.
University of Michigan
Professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology
Dr. Kahlenberg is a physician scientist at the University of Michigan. She completed her MD, PhD, and Internal Medicine training at Case Western Reserve University and her fellowship in Rheumatology at the University of Michigan.
The Scripps Research Institute – La Jolla, CA
Professor, Head of Arthritis Research
Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine
Dr. Lotz is Professor in the Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine at The Scripps Research Institute and in the Department of Medicine at UC San Diego. Research interests in the Lotz laboratory include joint biology and mechanisms of arthritis pathogenesis.
Rush University, Chicago, IL
Professor of Internal Medicine
The George W. Stuppy, MD, Chair of Arthritis
Dr. Malfait received her MD in 1989 and her PhD in 1994, both from Ghent University in Belgium. Her early research training focused on cartilage metabolism in osteoarthritis.
Harvard Medical School
Prince Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud Professor of Pediatrics
Chief, Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital
Director, Center for Adults with Pediatric Rheumatic Illness (CAPRI), Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Dr. Nigrovic’s research focuses on understanding mechanisms of inflammatory arthritis, using both human samples and mouse models. These studies have helped illuminate the roles played by mast cells, neutrophils, and platelets, among other cell types. In studies supported by ANRF, his group identified a new pathway by which neutrophils could be targeted to treat inflammatory arthritis.
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Director of the Clinical Immunology Research Unit
Dr. Ritchlin’s research focuses on understanding bone resorption and formation mechanisms in inflammatory arthritis, with a translational approach involving biomarker identification and studying the impact of anti-TNF agents.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Oncology
Dr. Satcher specializes in treating skeletal metastatic disease and soft tissue sarcoma. A former astronaut, he served as a mission specialist visiting the International Space Station. He leads MD Anderson’s efforts in virtual care and global oncology, and co-founded the eHealth Research Institute.
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Associate Professor
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine
Dr. Shelef is an immunologist and rheumatologist who leads a research program focused on the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis, to inform the development of novel biomarkers and treatments. Her work has defined how a biological process called citrullination drives RA, and redefined hallmark autoimmune antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis.
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Professor of Medicine, Immunology and Rheumatology
Dr. Utz is an expert in the study of human and murine autoantibodies and autoantigens, apoptosis signaling pathways, animal models of autoimmunity, proteomics, and multiplexed assay development for biomarker discovery.
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Professor of Pediatrics and Epidemiology
Dr. Weiss’s research focuses on improving outcomes for children with inflammatory arthritis, particularly spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease-associated arthritis. Her work has led to widely used disease activity and flare assessment tools for juvenile spondyloarthritis, as well as classification criteria and imaging standards for pediatric arthritis.
The Scripps Research Institute – La Jolla, CA
Professor, Head of Research Rheumatology
Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine
Dr. Buxbaum is head of the division of Research Rheumatology and the W. M. Keck Autoimmune Disease Center at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. His research spans more than 40 years across Scripps, New York University, and the New York VA Medical Center. He serves on several rheumatology journal editorial boards and travels as a visiting lecturer.
UCLA School of Medicine – Los Angeles, CA
Professor of Medicine
Chief, Division of Rheumatology
A world-renowned researcher and lecturer who has collected numerous honors and awards, Dr. Hahn has emphasized a continuing theme in her research work — identification of immune abnormalities characteristic of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or lupus).
Stanford University School of Medicine – Stanford, CA
Senior Research Scientist
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Dr. Sonderstrup-McDevitt is a speaker in high demand, invited to universities and conferences all over the world to discuss her research in rheumatoid arthritis. She is a former ANRF-funded scientist, having received a grant in 1993 that proved to be an important milestone in her career.
University of California, San Diego
Interim Division Chief, Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology
Rheumatology Training Program Director, Professor of Medicine
VA Rheumatology Section Chief, VA Medical Center, San Diego
Dr. Terkeltaub is Chief of Rheumatology and director of the Rheumatology Training Program at the VA Medical Center in San Diego. He is also a Professor of Medicine in Residence at the University of California, San Diego.
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute – La Jolla, CA
Professor & Director, Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases Center
Director, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology
Possibilities and challenges are what this researcher, who has two important discoveries at various stages of the drug development process, seems to be all about. Dr. Ware hopes his discoveries will help the 30 to 40 percent of rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s sufferers who don’t respond well, or at all, to existing TNF-based therapies.
1937–2018
University of California, Irvine
Professor of Immunology
When he passed away in 2018, Gale “Morrie” Granger left a mark on the medical field that few can match. Early in his career at the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Granger received ANRF funding to study the immunological processes behind the tissue destruction seen in rheumatoid arthritis — work that led to the discovery that white blood cells could release tissue-destructive molecules, eventually termed tumor necrosis factors (TNF).
Read more about Dr. Granger →1930–2022
Stanford University School of Medicine – Stanford, CA
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Emeritus
Dr. McDevitt was known worldwide for his contributions to arthritis research. At Stanford he led the Immunology Department, directed the Clinical Immunology Lab, and chaired the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. His discoveries were pivotal in the history of immunology, and he was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Medicine, and the Royal Society of London.
ANRF remembers Dr. McDevitt →1951–2024
Stanford University Medical Center
Dr. Mellins brought deep expertise in immunology and autoimmunity to the Scientific Advisory Board. Clinically trained as a pediatric rheumatologist, she devoted her career to research on autoimmune forms of arthritis, and particularly to MHC Class II molecules as inherited risk factors for autoimmune disease. She left behind a legacy that will continue to shape the lives of countless children battling autoimmune diseases.
Remembering Dr. Mellins →1926–2024
The Scripps Research Institute – La Jolla, CA
Professor, Department of Molecular Medicine
Dr. Tan was recognized across the world’s scientific community as a leading researcher in molecular medicine, earning countless awards, honors, and designations. His contributions led to a far better understanding of lupus and related autoimmune diseases. To honor his work in arthritis and autoimmune disease research, ANRF named a grant in his name — the Eng Tan Scholar.
